The Case for Goldenrod

The court of public opinion delivered its verdict long ago: goldenrod is just a weed. This beleaguered plant is blamed for seasonal allergies, condemned for it’s raggedy appearance and accused of possessing an aggressive habit. True goldenrods are all members of the Solidago genus. What many people don’t realize is that this is a genus of numerous species, many of which have garden-positive traits that make them both attractive and valuable in your garden.

Goldenrods are erroneously blamed for seasonal allergies because their showy blooms appear right as the real culprit, giant ragweed, begins to disperse its small grains of pollen into the air. Goldenrod pollen is not airborne; it relies on insect pollinators to move it from plant to plant. This pollen does not affect your sensitive nose, and it is in fact an indispensable food source in fall for hungry bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

At the mention of goldenrod, what likely comes to mind is the common Canada goldenrod, Solidago canadensis. This species thrives in urban areas like vacant lots and roadsides, where its seeds quickly occupy disturbed soils. Despite it’s sometimes raggedy appearance and weedy reputation, each fall it offers up attractive golden plumes-rich with nectar and pollen.

There are several Solidago species however, that offer these valuable resources to pollinators while still maintaining an attractive appearance and good manners in the garden. I have included below descriptions of a few favorite goldenrod species that are just about to burst into bloom in my yard. They are well suited for the garden and will soon be abuzz with a myriad of butterflies and bees. I hope you will find some spots in your yard for these beautiful and beneficial native wildflowers.

• Seaside Goldenrod, Solidago sempervirens – salt-tolerant, adapts to many soils types and is tolerant of wet or dry conditions once established. Very showy stalks of blooms reach 3-6 feet tall. The plant forms a clump and will reseed, but not aggressively. Prefers full sun to part sun.
• Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora – pretty pyramidal clusters of yellow blooms atop stalks 3-4 foot tall. Grows in average garden soil and is adaptable to clayey soils. Anise-scented foliage makes a tasty tea. “Liberty Tea” was used by colonists after the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Clump grower, reseeds. Full to part sun.
• Wand Goldenrod, Solidago stricta – sends up tall, thin ‘wands’ 2-4 foot tall topped with bright, clear yellow blooms. Very easy to grow and adaptable to many soil types. Prefers full to part sun.
• Downy Goldenrod, Solidago petiolaris – one of the most uniform and compact goldenrods, forms a clump, which grows wider but is not agressive. Spikes of canary yellow flowers 2-4 feet tall. Average soil and water needs. Full sun.
• Wreath Goldenrod, Solidago caesia- arching branches of blooms on low, 2ft tall stalks. Reseeds and spreads by root, but not aggressive. Grows in full sun, but is also tolerant of dappled shade.

Herb Spotlight: Vietnamese cilantro

Vietnamese cilantro, also known as Vietnamese coriander, Cambodian mint or Rau Ram, makes an unusual addition to your herb garden. It’s native to Southeast Asia, where it's a very popular culinary ingredient. Vietnamese cilantro is not the same as the “regular” cilantro we are all so familiar with in Western cuisine. It has a very strong, smoky yet minty flavor and, because of its strength, should be used in quantities about half that of cilantro. The biggest benefit to growing Vietnamese cilantro over cilantro is its ability to beat our summer heat.

Plant
It’s a low, creeping plant that will spread into ground cover if given enough time. It can’t handle temperatures below freezing, but if grown in a pot and brought inside when there is a frost, it can last for many seasons. Plant grows best in bright morning sun and afternoon shade.

Care
Keep the soil moist. If the plant stops producing new leaves in midseason, cut it back almost to the base to promote new growth. If it’s growing in a container, you might need to repot it into a bigger one—or divide it and replant in the same pot—a couple of times a season.

Harvest
Prune herb, pull young leaves from stems, rinse, and dry. Store clean leaves, layered between slightly damp towels in the refrigerator. Soak any wilted leaves in ice water briefly to refresh them.
 

Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

This sauce can be used to brings the prefect amount of sour, sweet, salty, spicy and authenticity to your dish -- from omelets, to salad dressing or drizzled on a sandwich. This sauce brings the prefect amount of sour, sweet, salty spicy and authentic to your dish.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons local
2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
1 or 2 small Thai chiles, thinly sliced
1 handful fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
1 handful Vietnamese coriander leaves, finely chopped

Directions
Mix the lime juice, honey and 1/2 cup of water in a small bowl and stir. Taste and adjust the flavors if necessary to balance out the sweet and sour. Add the fish sauce, garlic and chiles. Taste again and adjust the flavors to your liking, balancing out the sour, sweet, salty and spicy. Cover and set aside at room temperature until needed, up to 24 hours. Just before serving, mix in the mint and Vietnamese cilantro.

Pitchers in the Pines

by Lilly Anderson-Messec

I saw a peacock in the pines. What had begun as an exasperating morning shifted at the sight of this exquisite bird and the remainder of the day unfurled into one of the most magical experiences that would alter the course of my life.

It began several years ago with some friends sharing their excitement of having found a secret spot off Highway 65 that was filled with carnivorous pitcher plants and dwarf cypress trees. I was already a native plant lover and always up for an adventure, so I jotted down their directions and recruited my friend, Bonnie, to join me for a Sunday trip to find this spot. This was before I had a smart phone and I hadn’t done much exploring of areas outside of Tallahassee, so of course I took circuitous route that had us driving all morning. Our confidence was waning when we finally found the small dirt road.

As we drove in, were greeted by a male peacock-in the middle of the Apalachicola National Forest. I was speechless, peacocks do not live here and I have never seen one before or since. I was compelled to hop out of the car and approach the bird as he fanned his feathers in an epic display. It was completely surreal and set the tone for the remainder of the day. We watched aghast, as he disappeared into the trees and continued on our way down the road. The area had been recently burned and we immediately spotted thickets of bright, chartreuse pitchers rising up on the edges of the blackened forest where it met the dwarf cypress swamp. I had never seen such a sight. The lemon-lime pitchers rose up to my waist and had a bright scarlet blush just below their hoods. Having only read about these plants in books or seen a few sorry plants in pots, I was unprepared for how magnificent they are in their natural setting.

Many of us are unaware that we are nestled in one of the richest areas of biodiversity in North America. Our Panhandle is a truly unique place with a multitude of diverse ecosystems that are home to many species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. The Panhandle is, in fact, a hotspot for carnivorous plants and home to the most number of species and the largest population of total plants in North America.

We have more species of Sarracenia, also known as pitcher plants, than anywhere else in the world. There are so many that, as I quickly learned, you do not have to know a secret spot or even look that hard for them. They line the roadsides of Highway 65 near Sumatra and are easy to spot once you know what they look like.

My friend Eleanor Dietrich has been working with the Florida Wildflower Foundation and Department of Transportation to regulate the roadside mowing schedule so we can enjoy these beauties. I regularly spend my Sundays driving down to Sumatra with friends or alone to see them at their different stages of growth. Their stunning, pendulous blooms appear first in early spring followed by the pitchers, which are their leaves, in summer and more in fall. There are several species, and even color variations within species that are extraordinary.

That entire afternoon had an otherworldly feel to it, an experience that has blossomed into an adoration for the Apalachicola National Forest and the plants that inhabit its wet prairies and pine flatwoods. I especially fell in love with the many species of carnivorous plants including pitcher plants, butterworts, sundews and venus fly-traps. They are easy to find and experiencing them in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience, which I wholeheartedly recommend.